TWENTY-SIXTH GUILTY PLEA IN COCAINE AND OXYCODONE DISTRIBUTION RING
Feds Take Gang Members off Streets for Lengthy Terms
The twenty-sixth defendant indicted as part of a cocaine, marijuana, and oxycodone distribution ring, involving members and associates of the “74 Hoover Crips” and “Marvin Crips,” entered a guilty plea in U.S. District Court in Seattle today. The group has been distributing drugs in the Seattle community for a significant period of time, and continued to deal drugs despite multiple arrests, drug seizures, and interactions with local law enforcement.
Ultimately, through the use of a Court-authorized wiretap during the summer of 2005 on phones used by the principal members of the organization, IAN FUHR, JASON FUHR, and CARLOS FORD, the group was fully identified. Hundreds of conversations were intercepted where group members arranged to pick up drugs from one another and distribute drugs. Much of the cocaine was turned into “crack” cocaine, a particularly potent and dangerous form of cocaine.
On November 17, 2005, numerous search and arrest warrants were executed. At the search locations, officers recovered large quantities of powder cocaine, “crack”cocaine, oxycodone, and marijuana. In addition, in excess of 30 firearms were recovered from members of the group, which they possessed during the time of their involvement in drug trafficking.
All members of the group have since pleaded guilty to crimes arising from their participation in the conspiracy, including drug and firearms offenses. Those playing the most significant roles have pleaded guilty to offenses carrying a mandatory minimum period of imprisonment of ten years, and up to life imprisonment. Numerous distributors acting as part of the group have pleaded guilty to offenses carrying a mandatory minimum sentence of five years imprisonment. Most of the defendants remain to be sentenced.
In addition to pleading guilty, the defendants have agreed to forfeit in excess of $300,000 cash seized by the Government, and to abandon their interest in multiple residential properties tainted by drug dealing, and in numerous vehicles used by them in furtherance of their drug trafficking, valued at more than $3 million dollars.
All of these defendants were charged as part of a single indictment before the Honorable Ricardo S. Martinez, United States District Judge.
Dispositions to date are as follows:
IAN ELTON FUHR, 25, who served as the central hub of the conspiracy, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine, oxycodone, and marijuana, and is facing a sentence of not less than ten years and up to life imprisonment. He is to be sentenced September 29, 2006.
JASON JOHN FUHR, 30, brother of Ian Fuhr, who assisted Ian Fuhr, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and cocaine base, and is facing a sentence of not less than ten years and up to life imprisonment. He will be sentenced September 29, 2006.
CARLOS EDWARD FORD, 32, who acted as a regular supplier to Ian Fuhr of multi-kilogram shipments of cocaine, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine, and is facing a sentence of not less than ten years and up to life imprisonment. He will be sentenced September 8, 2006.
PIILUA ETI, 31, who acted as a distributor for Ian Fuhr, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine, and is facing a sentence of not less than five years and up to forty years imprisonment. She will be sentenced July 21, 2006.
JOHN PELLUM, 41, who acted as a distributor for Ian Fuhr, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine, and is facing a sentence of not less than five years and up to forty years imprisonment. He will be sentenced July 21, 2006.
COREY ALLEN BROWN, 33, who acted as a distributor for Ian Fuhr, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and cocaine base, and is facing a sentence of not less than five years and up to forty years imprisonment. He will be sentenced September 8, 2006.
ROY COLUMBUS GOLD III, 31, who acted as a distributor for Ian Fuhr, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and cocaine base, and is facing a sentence of not less than five years and up to forty years imprisonment. He will be sentenced September 15, 2006.
QUINTRAKEOUS CHERRY, 28, who acted as a distributor for Ian Fuhr, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and cocaine base, and is facing a sentence of not less than five years and up to forty years imprisonment. He will be sentenced October 13, 2006.
ANTHONY STEVEN RODGERS, 24, who acted as a distributor for Ian Fuhr, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and cocaine base, and is facing a sentence of not less than five years and up to forty years imprisonment. He will be sentenced September 8, 2006.
CARLOS MIGUEL WATSON, 34, who acted as a distributor for Ian Fuhr, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine, and is facing a sentence of not less than five years and up to forty years imprisonment. He will be sentenced October 13, 2006.
MICHAEL DEVON RAY STEWART, 26, who acted as a distributor for Ian Fuhr, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine, and is facing a sentence of not less than five years and up to forty imprisonment. He will be sentenced September 29, 2006.
JONAH H. TOPPS, 26, who acted as a distributor for Ian Fuhr, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine, and is facing a sentence of not less than five years and up to forty years imprisonment. He will be sentenced September 8, 2006.
DAVID WATKINS, 21, who acted as a distributor for Ian Fuhr, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and cocaine base, and is facing a sentence of not less than five years and up to forty years imprisonment. He will be sentenced September 22, 2006.
ERIC O’NEAL SOLIER, 22, who acted as a distributor for Ian Fuhr, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and cocaine base, and is facing a sentence of not less than five years and up to forty imprisonment. He will be sentenced July 25, 2006.
VALENTINO GUY, 31, who acted as an alternate drug supplier to Ian Fuhr, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine, and is facing a sentence of not less than five years and up to forty imprisonment. He will be sentenced October 13, 2006.
HENRY ORLANDO CASTRO, 43, who assisted in the distribution of cocaine from Carlos Ford to Ian Fuhr, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine, and is facing a sentence of not less than five years and up to forty imprisonment. He will be sentenced September 8, 2006.
ELIJAH VICTOR FUHR, 28, who assisted his brothers in the distribution of cocaine, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine, and is facing a sentence of up to twenty years imprisonment. He will be sentenced September 29, 2006.
JASON LEE WARD, 33, who acted as a cocaine distributor for IAN FUHR, was sentenced on June 30, 2006 to five years imprisonment.
MICHAEL R. COX, 38, who assisted Ian Fuhr in obtaining quantities of oxycodone from local pharmacies through the use of forged prescriptions, was sentenced on May 19, 2006, to 52 months imprisonment.
LINDA M. RYE, 49, who presented forged prescriptions at local pharmacies to obtain oxycodone, was sentenced on May 5, 2006 to 27 months imprisonment.
RAEBURN GENE GAMBLE, 46, who presented forged prescriptions at local pharmacies to obtain oxycodone, was sentenced on May 5, 2006 to 24 months imprisonment.
DEONDRA MCDUFFIE, 26, who acted as a cocaine distributor for IAN FUHR was sentenced on July 7, 2006 to 21 months imprisonment.
SCOTT BRICKNER, 46, who acted as a cocaine distributor for IAN FUHR was sentenced on April 21, 2006, to 18 months imprisonment.
VICTOR EUGENE FUHR, 49, father of Ian, Jason, and Elijah Fuhr, who presented forged prescriptions at local pharmacies to obtain oxycodone, was sentenced on June 30, 2006 to 12 months imprisonment.
JOHNNIE BROWN, 61, who assisted others in acquiring oxycodone, was sentenced on May 19, 2006, to 4 months home detention.
COLLEEN FLOCK, 43, who placed orders over the phone to receive marijuana for her personal use was sentenced July 7, 2006 to three years probation.
Investigation in this matter is continuing.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), Seattle Police Department, King County Sheriff’s Department, Washington State Department of Corrections, Des Moines Police Department and U.S. Marshal Service. Assisting in the arrests this morning were the Washington State Patrol, Federal Way Police Department, and the Pierce County Violent Crimes Task Force.
For additional information please contact Emily Langlie, Public Affairs Officer for the United States Attorney’s Office, Western District of Washington, at (206) 553-4110.
